Finnish researchers on a two-week study tour in Warrnambool have called on governments to adopt a long-term plan similar to anti-smoking campaigns to combat the country's fastest growing chronic disease.

Professor Erkki Vartiainen said cholesterol levels in the Corangamite and Wimmera regions had dropped only slightly in the past decade and more attention needed to be given to the health crisis.

With Adjunct Professor Tiina Laatikainen, he called for tougher regulations and higher junk food taxes to try to create a new eating culture.

"We need to make healthier choices the easier choices," Professor Vartiainen said.

"We need to compare diabetes to smoking. It was found in the 1950s and 60s that smoking was bad for your health but it took more than 20 years before anything started to happen on a policy or health promotion basis," Adjunct Professor Laatikainen said.

"In the 1970s it was a new idea to have a non-smoking area, now it is the norm. Culture changes take a long time."

Statistics show Moyne Shire had the third highest rate of diabetes in council areas across Victoria in 2008, with nearly nine per cent of people with the disease.

Corangamite Shire was not far behind, doubling its rate in two years to 4.4 per cent, as every south-west shire saw its numbers rise.

The visiting academics have worked for a fortnight at the Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health, which is based at Deakin University.

During an earlier stint in Warrnambool, Adjunct Professor Laatikainen helped set up the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes program that has been adopted throughout Victoria to prevent Type Two diabetes.

Now they are learning what aspects of the program have been successful so they can be implemented in Finland and other countries.

The international experts support moves to regulate junk food advertising during prime children’s television viewing times and recommend schools be encouraged to remove snacks and soft drinks from their canteens.